Firefight in Nabuk, Afghanistan

SSgt. Ysidro (L) Gonzalez of Alice, Texas, from the 1st Battalion 8th Marines Alpha Company bends over from fatigue upon returning to base after an intense battle against Taliban insurgents that lasted several hours and led to four Marine casualties in the town of Nabuk in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, November 1, 2010.

Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters

Cpl. Shaun Clarkson of New Jersey, from the 1st Battalion 8th Marines Alpha Company ducks from incoming fire from Taliban insurgents while reaching for more ammunition during a gun battle in the town of Nabuk in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, November 1, 2010.

Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters

HN. Donald Howard (2nd R) of Columbus, Ohio checks on concussed Alpha Company 1st Battalion 8th Marines Sgt. Thomas James Brennan (L) of Randolph, Massachusetts, LCpl. James Roche (2nd L), LCpl. John Chun, both of New Jersey and LCpl. James Edward Orr (R) of Eufaula, Alabama in a compound offering cover after rocket propelled grenades exploded near their positions during a battle against Taliban insurgents in the town of Nabuk in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, November 1, 2010.

Finbarr O'Reilly / Reuters

Sgt. Thomas James Brennan (2nd L) of Randolph, Massachusetts from the 1st Battalion 8th Marines Alpha Company shouts to his comrades to keep out of the line of fire from Taliban insurgents during a firefight in the town of Nabuk in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, November 1, 2010.

I wonder what it's like to face the next patrol after a day of close calls that leave soldiers Marines concussed and exhausted.